Employment Scams

RetirementJobs.com Staff Writers

Job Hunters - Beware!
Millions of people over age 50 are looking for jobs and work in retirement. And there are many reputable employers looking to hire them. But there are also many dishonest, unethical organizations looking to track down these same people - but not to provide jobs. Instead, these organizations are trying to cheat and steal from these mature workers with some creative, deceptive and all too appealing employment scheme or scam. Let's review what to beware of as well as what safe resources you can use to find a legitimate and rewarding job.

Work-at-Home Scams
You are told that you can earn $500, $1,000, even $5,000 a month, working from the comfort of your home. Work-at-home scams are far and away the most widespread. If the ads are vague, emotional, lack detail, exaggerate and appear amateur - they are scams! There are actually very few legitimate employers providing real work-at-home opportunities - and none of them require up-front fees or investments by you. Some of the most common scams are:

-Light Assembly and Envelope Mailing- "Work from your own home and assemble products or stuff envelopes." If this is an ad by a company with a plant or office you can go visit, it may be true. Otherwise, don't believe it! If they also tell you that you need make only a small investment or pay fees, walk away - it's a scam!

-Medical or Commercial Billing- "Make calls, mail invoices or collect payments." Again, if it is a real medical practice or company that has an office or plant, they could well be looking for extra help with billing and collections. But if you're asked to buy or rent office equipment before you can get started, say no - it's a scam!

-Telemarketing and Customer Service- Same rules apply: if you are asked to pay any money up front, steer clear. Some may be legitimate - check them out. Most are a scam to separate you from your savings.

-Complete Marketing Surveys- "Get paid to participate in phone and Internet surveys and earn $500 a day! Pay only $2.95 to become a registered survey participant." Rubbish! These are the newest variation on a plain and simple scam.

If a work-at-home arrangement were such a fantastic opportunity, why wouldn't all the smart money and big investors set up a company to do the work? They don't because most all are scams.

Advertised and Online Employment Agency Scams Posing as private employment agencies, scammers offer to, and even guarantee, they will get you a job. The jobs are often civil service, government and postal jobs. They are looking for two things from you - money or personal information. You will be asked to pay an "advance placement fee" or provide personal information such as Social Security number, bank accounts and credit card accounts. Some will tell you this is needed to complete pre-employment reference checks. There are even very bold scammers who will actually have an office, interview you, help with your resume or summary of experience, promise you a job, take your money - and do nothing else! If anyone asks you for money or personal information up front - tell them, thanks but no thanks!